Children who were abused or experienced other adverse events in childhood are more likely to develop dental caries between the ages of 7 and 10, a new study has revealed.
The study, based on data from 7,633 children in Bristol, UK, was written by scholars from the University of Bristol and published in the Journal of Dentistry.
The researchers pointed out that these findings could help dentists more effectively identify children and their families in distress during routine examinations.
The study, based on the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), conducted an in-depth analysis of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) experienced by children in their early years, such as physical abuse, parental divorce, and substance abuse in the family.
The results showed that these adverse experiences were closely related to the development of tooth decay. More importantly, the study pointed out that there was a clear “dose response”: the more ACEs a child accumulated before the age of 6, the higher the risk of dental caries by the age of 10.
The data showed that the average number of decayed or filled teeth increased from 1.06 at the age of 7 to 1.47 at the age of 10, and the changes were more significant in children who had experienced repeated or recent adversity. Of the eight types of ACEs, physical abuse had the most significant impact on children’s oral health.
In addition, the study found that adversity experienced between the ages of 4 and 6 had a greater impact on the development of dental caries than adversity experienced in the first few years of life.
The study authors emphasize that these results highlight the importance of early intervention, which not only helps mental health, but also has a profound impact on children’s physical and oral health.
In their daily work, dentists may observe children’s behavior or visit patterns, identify potential problems, and promptly recommend referrals or communicate with relevant caregivers.
As trauma-informed care is gradually promoted in the field of oral health, this study also further confirms that dental visits are an important “sentinel” for identifying children in vulnerable situations.
By identifying and intervening in time before the long-term effects of tooth decay and psychological trauma become apparent, dentists have the opportunity to provide critical support for children’s overall healthy development.